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Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Healthy Habits: Psoriatic Arthritis

More
than 1 million Americans are reported to be living with psoriatic
arthritis (PsA), a painful, debilitating, and chronic autoimmune disease
that is often underreported and misdiagnosed.

I have a chance to post this interview with Dr. Madelaine H. Feldman, The
Rheumatology Group, New Orleans, to discuss the signs and symptoms of
PsA, guidance on how patients can speak with their doctors, and the
importance of early diagnosis and treatment.

Up to 30 percent of people with psoriasis develop psoriatic arthritis

The
disease is often misdiagnosed because symptoms are sometimes confused
with other types of arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and
reactive arthritis.

The
prevalence of PsA is higher than the number of people living with more
well-known, serious conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Lyme disease,
and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) combined.

Dr.
Feldman is joined by Christina T., a patient with psoriatic
arthritis, who can share her personal experience living with the disease
including the physical and emotional impact.